“Our farmers deserve to be heard. I know they are concerned about the future of agriculture and their future. But they also know that agriculture must transition to a more sustainable production model, so that their businesses remain profitable in the years to come”. The president of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen said this at the EP plenary, announcing that she will propose to the college of commissioners “the withdrawal” of the legislative proposal on pesticides. The regulation “has become a symbol of polarization” she explained, underlining that “a new, more mature proposal” will be made in the future.
“The proposal was rejected by the European Chamber, and there is no progress in the Council either”, von der Leyen underlined, focusing at length on the farmers’ protests in his speech. “Many of them feel cornered. Farmers are the first to feel the effects of climate change. Droughts and floods have destroyed crops and threatened livestock. Farmers are feeling the impact of the Russian war, inflation, the rising cost of energy and fertilizers.Nevertheless, they work hard every day to
produce the quality food we eat. For this, we owe them appreciation, thanks and respect,” she stressed.
For further information Agenzia ANSA Tractor protest, mobilization in Rome from Thursday, then the procession – News – Ansa.it From Valdichiana in procession towards the capital. 250 of us on the Cassia, arriving at 5pm and garrisoning the Nomentana area. Meeting in the prefecture to establish the details of the demonstration (ANSA)
“We launched the Strategic Dialogue on the future of agriculture in the EU. We invited representatives from the agricultural sector, rural communities, the seed and fertilizer industry, the food sector, but also from the financial sector, consumers and the food sector, consumer and environmental groups and science. We need to analyze the situation together, share ideas and develop scenarios for the future. We need to move beyond a polarized debate and build trust. Trust is the fundamental basis
for workable solutions. The stakes are high for all of us. Our food production system is unique,” she further explained.
‘Public subsidies can provide incentives’
“Farmers need a good business case for nature improvement measures, and perhaps we haven’t made it convincingly. Of a real incentive that goes beyond the simple loss of yield. Public subsidies can provide such incentives,” added von der Leyen, who floated the idea of “premium labeling, for example in
collaboration with retailers and processors”.
“Fertile soil has always been the backbone of a farmer’s livelihood. But 60 to 70 percent of soils in Europe are now in poor condition. We can reverse these trends. And many farmers are doing so. But we need to do more “, underlined the president of the EU commission, adding: “Nature conservation can only succeed through a bottom-up, incentive-based approach. Because only if our farmers can live from the land will they invest in the future.”
Michel, ‘Farmers must be respected, incomes must be more equitable’
“Farmers deserve to be respected for the gigantic work they do in our service and for the role they play in the fight against climate change.” The President of the European Council Charles Michel said this, also speaking at the European Chamber plenary and focusing on the tractor protests across the continent.
“The issue of fair incomes” must be addressed, “efforts must be put in place to reduce bureaucracy, to have fair rules of play”, explained Michel
Tractors block the entrance to the European Chamber in Strasbourg
The farmers’ protest reaches Strasbourg. Around a hundred tractors blocked the entrance to the European Chamber while the debate on the conclusions of the latest EU summit was underway in the presence of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von
der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.
The police intervened by raising mobile barriers to contain the protest. A few hundred demonstrators are now gathered in front of the main entrance, blocking the circulation of cars and public transport.
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